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Colby Agency: Family Secrets #3
Investigating Christmas
This superrich tech tycoon will do anything to keep the love of his life and her family safe this Christmas.
When the woman who left him comes back desperate for help, sexy billionaire Rush Grayson is thrilled. He still wants and needs Lucy Gaines, but Lucy only needs his professional help--to rescue her abducted sister and nephew. The strong-willed independent woman thinks she's over Rush. She'd never be foolish enough to fall for a man incapable of love.
But as Rush and Lucy begin a harrowing race against time to free her family, the fire between them blazes. Now they must use Rush's brilliant invention to outwit the ruthless kidnapper, or neither will live to see a Christmas family reunion...
Colby Family Secrets
When the woman who left him comes back desperate for help, sexy billionaire Rush Grayson is thrilled. He still wants and needs Lucy Gaines, but Lucy only needs his professional help--to rescue her abducted sister and nephew. The strong-willed independent woman thinks she's over Rush. She'd never be foolish enough to fall for a man incapable of love.
But as Rush and Lucy begin a harrowing race against time to free her family, the fire between them blazes. Now they must use Rush's brilliant invention to outwit the ruthless kidnapper, or neither will live to see a Christmas family reunion...
Colby Family Secrets
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2016
About the author
Debra Webb
555 books2,486 followersDEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 180 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.
With more than ten million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
With more than ten million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 24, 2017
It turns out Lucy Gaines' new boss Dieter Kathrein only hired her because he wants her to break into the cloud-based Gray Box software developed by her ex-lover Rush Grayson. In order to coerce her into doing this, he kidnaps her sister and nephew! The Gray Box in question belongs to a journalist who has uncovered nasty secrets from Dieter's past, which he obviously doesn't want to get out. Lucy asks Rush for a job so that she can try and hack into his software.
Another typically dull offering from the Webb/Black team, although it's slightly better than the last couple by them that I've read! Not a lot ever really happens, and don't know what other reviewers are talking about when they mention all the twists and turns. What twists and turns? It was all pretty straightforward! For about the first third, I got very tired with all the arguing between Rush and Lucy over where she would be staying and how she would be getting around. It just goes on and on and on! Why was Rush so obsessed with this? Get on with the plot already! Rush and Lucy basically twiddle their thumbs, while they talk, talk, talk, talk, talk about what they should do, before it finishes off with an okay climax. Not exactly the most exciting Intrigue book I've read!
It's mentioned as being part of the "Colby Agency: Family Secrets" mini-series, but doesn't feature a single Colby, and has no connection to the previous two books, so can easily be read as a standalone.
Another typically dull offering from the Webb/Black team, although it's slightly better than the last couple by them that I've read! Not a lot ever really happens, and don't know what other reviewers are talking about when they mention all the twists and turns. What twists and turns? It was all pretty straightforward! For about the first third, I got very tired with all the arguing between Rush and Lucy over where she would be staying and how she would be getting around. It just goes on and on and on! Why was Rush so obsessed with this? Get on with the plot already! Rush and Lucy basically twiddle their thumbs, while they talk, talk, talk, talk, talk about what they should do, before it finishes off with an okay climax. Not exactly the most exciting Intrigue book I've read!
It's mentioned as being part of the "Colby Agency: Family Secrets" mini-series, but doesn't feature a single Colby, and has no connection to the previous two books, so can easily be read as a standalone.
December 24, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I love second chance romance books. Lucy and Rush were lovers before Lucy broke it off and moved her small family, (sister, and Nephew) to France. She took a job working for Kathrein. For a moment she worked, and lived in a dream world until her life was turned upside down. One day after work, she came home and the house had been ransacked. Her sister and nephew were gone, no where to be found. Come to find out her new boss had only hired her to break into her ex-lover’s computer system. Rush and Lucy had to eventually team up and work together to save Lucy’s sister and nephew. It was sweet that Rush never gave up on the idea of getting back with Lucy. He never stopped loving her. Now he just has to prove to her how much she means to him. He also has to come up with a plan that will keep everyone safe. This book offered suspense, action, and romance. I’m sure this is a book I will read again one day.
November 13, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book, so as I write this review, I am split in the fact that I liked some parts and truly hated others. Rush & Lucy were former colleagues, friends and lovers before Lucy decided to end it a year ago because Rush didn't do love or relationships and had no time for her. She wanted more from him so one day she packs up and leaves by moving to Chicago then goes to work for an old billionaire in France where the old guy holds her sister & nephew hostage so that Lucy can steal some important documents in a secret box that is being held by Rush's security company.
Rush had "feelings" for Lucy and was going to propose to her before she up and left. Hurt, he tried to move on by dating many women and he currently has a girlfriend, Tracy, who is his private assistant. When Lucy reappears in his life asking for a job, he makes her his assistant and moves his girlfriend to another department. He then spends the rest of the book making a move on Lucy to get her back in his bed and his life without breaking up with his girlfriend! That is the part that I couldn't stomach. For more then half of the book, he is technically in a relationship with the other woman while pursuing another! It is not until the girlfriend breaks up with him that we learn that he dated other women in the year that Lucy left him for "appearances" only and hasn't actually slept with any of them! Once that was clear, I began to like him and the story, but then Lucy began to get on my nerves. While Rush was dating his girlfriend, she never showed any jealousy and said that she would never become the "other woman". But in the next breath, she is all over the guy and is making the first move! Then there are 2 instances in which she states that she would never marry or get involved with another rich guy but would settle for someone who is worth a net of $ 500,000! Yes folks, he must be worth at least $ 500,000 for the heroine to marry!
These were the 3 things that I couldn't stomach but if one gets past that, it is still an enjoyable read because I liked that the Hero (and heroine) stayed true to another even when they had broken up. I loved how Rush never gave up in all that time to win Lucy back. Few romance books have that kind of loyalty & devotion which is lacking these days. For me, that is a major issue! So if you can get past the "girlfriend" and the heroine's absurdness of the $ 500 k income, I think you will enjoy it!
Rush had "feelings" for Lucy and was going to propose to her before she up and left. Hurt, he tried to move on by dating many women and he currently has a girlfriend, Tracy, who is his private assistant. When Lucy reappears in his life asking for a job, he makes her his assistant and moves his girlfriend to another department. He then spends the rest of the book making a move on Lucy to get her back in his bed and his life without breaking up with his girlfriend! That is the part that I couldn't stomach. For more then half of the book, he is technically in a relationship with the other woman while pursuing another! It is not until the girlfriend breaks up with him that we learn that he dated other women in the year that Lucy left him for "appearances" only and hasn't actually slept with any of them! Once that was clear, I began to like him and the story, but then Lucy began to get on my nerves. While Rush was dating his girlfriend, she never showed any jealousy and said that she would never become the "other woman". But in the next breath, she is all over the guy and is making the first move! Then there are 2 instances in which she states that she would never marry or get involved with another rich guy but would settle for someone who is worth a net of $ 500,000! Yes folks, he must be worth at least $ 500,000 for the heroine to marry!
These were the 3 things that I couldn't stomach but if one gets past that, it is still an enjoyable read because I liked that the Hero (and heroine) stayed true to another even when they had broken up. I loved how Rush never gave up in all that time to win Lucy back. Few romance books have that kind of loyalty & devotion which is lacking these days. For me, that is a major issue! So if you can get past the "girlfriend" and the heroine's absurdness of the $ 500 k income, I think you will enjoy it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2016
I received an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
Investigating Christmas is a December, 2016 Harlequin Intrigue. However, in spite of that, this book could very easily pass as a mainstream romantic suspense.
The plot is exciting and very well-developed. Rush Grayson and Lucy Gaines were lovers at one time. However, Lucy left without telling Rush or giving him a reason. Now, Lucy finds herself in a situation where her new employer kidnaps her sister and nephew. He expects her to illegally destroy some information, or he will kill her family.
In order to get this information, Lucy must get Rush to employ her in his new company. The information she needs is stored in a cloud program that is owned by Rush. Eventually Rush and Lucy work together to solve this mystery, in spite of the fact that Lucy left Rush without telling him, and that he caught her hacking into his system. Since I have never liked revenge stories,
The characters are extremely well-developed. Lucy is an intelligent woman who had encouraged, and offered, help to Rush as he was building the business. Rush not only appreciated her help but also depended on her advice and suggestion. I especially enjoyed Rush’s attitude and understanding of Lucy’s motives when she returned and also when he caught her hacking into his computer.
This is an exciting thriller! That I highly recommend!
Investigating Christmas is a December, 2016 Harlequin Intrigue. However, in spite of that, this book could very easily pass as a mainstream romantic suspense.
The plot is exciting and very well-developed. Rush Grayson and Lucy Gaines were lovers at one time. However, Lucy left without telling Rush or giving him a reason. Now, Lucy finds herself in a situation where her new employer kidnaps her sister and nephew. He expects her to illegally destroy some information, or he will kill her family.
In order to get this information, Lucy must get Rush to employ her in his new company. The information she needs is stored in a cloud program that is owned by Rush. Eventually Rush and Lucy work together to solve this mystery, in spite of the fact that Lucy left Rush without telling him, and that he caught her hacking into his system. Since I have never liked revenge stories,
The characters are extremely well-developed. Lucy is an intelligent woman who had encouraged, and offered, help to Rush as he was building the business. Rush not only appreciated her help but also depended on her advice and suggestion. I especially enjoyed Rush’s attitude and understanding of Lucy’s motives when she returned and also when he caught her hacking into his computer.
This is an exciting thriller! That I highly recommend!
November 16, 2025
This is a fun, fast-paced romantic suspense Christmas-esk book. The setup is instantly compelling — Lucy turning to Rush, the tech billionaire she once walked away from, to help rescue her sister and nephew.
I really enjoyed the blend of romance, danger, and high-tech intrigue. Rush’s gadgets and resources add a fresh angle, and the chemistry between him and Lucy sparks right from the start. Their second-chance storyline is handled well, with enough tension and heart to keep me invested throughout.
There are a few familiar tropes and some moments I could see coming, but overall the pacing is tight, the characters are easy to root for, and the Christmas setting gives the whole rescue mission a warm, urgent feel.
A satisfying, entertaining read to start off the holiday season with.
I really enjoyed the blend of romance, danger, and high-tech intrigue. Rush’s gadgets and resources add a fresh angle, and the chemistry between him and Lucy sparks right from the start. Their second-chance storyline is handled well, with enough tension and heart to keep me invested throughout.
There are a few familiar tropes and some moments I could see coming, but overall the pacing is tight, the characters are easy to root for, and the Christmas setting gives the whole rescue mission a warm, urgent feel.
A satisfying, entertaining read to start off the holiday season with.
August 1, 2019
Have you ever picked up a book that you just could not put down no matter how hard you tried, or found yourself looking for ways to work and read at the same time. This is one of those books.
Lucy used to be with Rush but she left him to go to Chicago and pretended that she had another boyfriend. Then she took a job in France as a Personal Assistant for a man that has threatened to kill her family if she doesn't steal some information from Rush for him.
Will Rush help her and will she be able to save her family by Christmas or will she lose everyone that she loves along the way
Lucy used to be with Rush but she left him to go to Chicago and pretended that she had another boyfriend. Then she took a job in France as a Personal Assistant for a man that has threatened to kill her family if she doesn't steal some information from Rush for him.
Will Rush help her and will she be able to save her family by Christmas or will she lose everyone that she loves along the way
January 21, 2018
Kind of far-fetched plot, but I’m sure stranger things have happened. I enjoyed the blending of historical events with modern era responses. Good suspense with enough surprises to keep it interesting.
January 26, 2019
Just loved it! Couldn't put it down!
February 21, 2017
What a great book..Lucy has went to France to work for a recluse..but one day when she comes home she finds that he has kidnapped her sister and nephew...He wants her to steal some info from Rush, her one true love that she left..She goes back home and gets a job with him..once she is working for him she gets the info but thankfully Rush catches her and she spills the beans..They work out a way to get Kathrien and take him down..but while doing that he captures them and tortures them before Rush's friends come in and save them..A wonderful book from start to finish that kept you on the edge of your seat
December 5, 2016
Lucille Gaines, she started a new job in France as personal assistant. Lucille being working for a very wealthy man who is a recluse. Sometime people aren’t who they portray themselves to be.
Rush Grayson, built a company from the ground up. The company is information security Industry. Where you can store information in the clouds, and you can retrieve it when you need to.
Dieter Kathrein, is a reclusive who is a billionaire who lives in France, whom he hires Lucille as his new personal assistant.
A little of back story about Lucille Gaines and Rush Grayson, they had a relationship, but she felt that there wasn’t any future with Rush so she left him. Fast ward, she gets a job in France, not knowing that there will be consequent for this move. Lucille, never knew the true reason why she was really hire for this job as a personal assistant. After finding that her sister and nephew had be kidnapped and held for ransom.
Lucille, must do something that she doesn’t want to do. She going to asked Rush if he has any opening in his company for her. Because of their past relationship, she realizes that she didn’t have any choice because she needed to do whatever she can to save her family. In the meantime, Rush, re-hair her and this time he made her has personal assistant.
Now with her inside of the company she sits out to get the file with the information that Kathrein, is wanting. Except Lucille, is unaware that Rush has safeguard on his security system. Lucille, has try several times to break into the system without any luck. There is only one way left and that is to get into his office and use his computer. But as luck would have it Rush, found out what she was up to. She had no other choice but to tell Rush the truth.
Debra Webb and Regan Black, are at it again with a new book call Investigating Christmas. This is a page turner that you deftly don’t want to miss, and the ending will surprise you. This book is full of suspense, and intrigue and romance. With the clock ticking Rush and Lucille had to figure a way to work together to rescue her family. Even thru they both still had very strong feeling for each other, they had to think of her family first.
Rush Grayson, built a company from the ground up. The company is information security Industry. Where you can store information in the clouds, and you can retrieve it when you need to.
Dieter Kathrein, is a reclusive who is a billionaire who lives in France, whom he hires Lucille as his new personal assistant.
A little of back story about Lucille Gaines and Rush Grayson, they had a relationship, but she felt that there wasn’t any future with Rush so she left him. Fast ward, she gets a job in France, not knowing that there will be consequent for this move. Lucille, never knew the true reason why she was really hire for this job as a personal assistant. After finding that her sister and nephew had be kidnapped and held for ransom.
Lucille, must do something that she doesn’t want to do. She going to asked Rush if he has any opening in his company for her. Because of their past relationship, she realizes that she didn’t have any choice because she needed to do whatever she can to save her family. In the meantime, Rush, re-hair her and this time he made her has personal assistant.
Now with her inside of the company she sits out to get the file with the information that Kathrein, is wanting. Except Lucille, is unaware that Rush has safeguard on his security system. Lucille, has try several times to break into the system without any luck. There is only one way left and that is to get into his office and use his computer. But as luck would have it Rush, found out what she was up to. She had no other choice but to tell Rush the truth.
Debra Webb and Regan Black, are at it again with a new book call Investigating Christmas. This is a page turner that you deftly don’t want to miss, and the ending will surprise you. This book is full of suspense, and intrigue and romance. With the clock ticking Rush and Lucille had to figure a way to work together to rescue her family. Even thru they both still had very strong feeling for each other, they had to think of her family first.
November 21, 2016
I was given an ARC of Investigating Christmas from the authors and I thank them for the chance to read and review the book before its release.
Investigating Christmas by Debra Webb and Regan Black was a fast moving story about Lucy Gaines who finds herself needing the help of her ex flame sexy billionaire Rush Grayson when she trust the wrong person and her sister and nephw are kidnapped for a ransom that she needs Rush's company to make. Things heat up when Rush and Lucy realize that the feelings they had for each other are not dead and they have a short time to save her family.
Will they be able to save Lucy's sister and nephew and turn the tables on a crazy criminal? Will Lucy and Rush have a second chance?
I loved Lucy and Rush together. Both dancing around how they feel when the chemistry was there between them. It was very well done and was very hard to put the book down because you wanted them to get it right so bad. As for the suspense part I found that twist interesting as well. I won't give it away, but that was a nice curve in this book as well.
I as giving Investigating Christmas five out of five stars.
Investigating Christmas by Debra Webb and Regan Black was a fast moving story about Lucy Gaines who finds herself needing the help of her ex flame sexy billionaire Rush Grayson when she trust the wrong person and her sister and nephw are kidnapped for a ransom that she needs Rush's company to make. Things heat up when Rush and Lucy realize that the feelings they had for each other are not dead and they have a short time to save her family.
Will they be able to save Lucy's sister and nephew and turn the tables on a crazy criminal? Will Lucy and Rush have a second chance?
I loved Lucy and Rush together. Both dancing around how they feel when the chemistry was there between them. It was very well done and was very hard to put the book down because you wanted them to get it right so bad. As for the suspense part I found that twist interesting as well. I won't give it away, but that was a nice curve in this book as well.
I as giving Investigating Christmas five out of five stars.
December 1, 2016
Lucy Gaines left San Francisco because of Rush Grayson, but now she is back and he is the only one who is able to help her. Her current boss has taken her Sister and Nephew hostage until she cooperates with him. Can she handle being around Rush without it getting personal again? And will she be able to save her family in time for Christmas? A great Christmas time read by two talented authors!
Merged review:
Lucy returns to her former boyfriend in order to save her sister and nephew from kidnappers. Rush is surprised to see her back and wanting a job, but he wants to make right why she ran away from him before. The two race to rescue her family, but will they be able to without becoming romantically involved or will this bring them closer together. Will they be able to save them in time for Christmas.
This is another great collaboration between two great authors. Will not disappoint!
Merged review:
Lucy returns to her former boyfriend in order to save her sister and nephew from kidnappers. Rush is surprised to see her back and wanting a job, but he wants to make right why she ran away from him before. The two race to rescue her family, but will they be able to without becoming romantically involved or will this bring them closer together. Will they be able to save them in time for Christmas.
This is another great collaboration between two great authors. Will not disappoint!
November 28, 2016
Omg this book was absolutely fantastic. This book was a page turning romantic suspense that I couldn't put down until the end. This Superrich Tech Tycoon will do anything to keep the love of his life and her family safe this Christmas. When the woman who left him comes back desperate for help, sexy billionaire Rush Grayson is thrilled. He still wants and needs Lucy Gaines, but Lucy only needs his professional help to rescue her abducted sister and nephew. The strong willed independent woman thinks she's over Rush. She'd never be foolish enough to fall for a man incapable of Love. But as Rush and Lucy begin a harrowing race against time to free her family, the fire between them blazes. Now they must use Rush's brilliant invention to outwit the ruthless kidnapper or neither will see a Christmas family reunion. I would highly reccomend this book.
November 30, 2016
Rush Grayson never got over Lucy Gaines when she left. Rush is beyond thrilled when she shows up unannounced. He's hoping for a second chance, but he senses Lucy is not being completely truthful about her reasons for coming back. She is looking for a job with his company but there is more to it. Lucy's sister and her nephew have been kidnapped and she has a week to meet the kidnappers demands. She will have to betray Rush to do it.
This is book 3 in a new spin off series from the Colby Agency series. It can be read as a stand alone book. It is suspenseful, has a good plot with enough romance to fall into the romantic suspense genre. I would definitely read more books in the series. Thank you to the author for an advanced copy.
This is book 3 in a new spin off series from the Colby Agency series. It can be read as a stand alone book. It is suspenseful, has a good plot with enough romance to fall into the romantic suspense genre. I would definitely read more books in the series. Thank you to the author for an advanced copy.
November 6, 2016
I am a huge fan of Debra Webb and Regan Black’s earlier collaborations. Their latest, Investigating Christmas, did not have quite the same impact. The hero and heroine spend far too much time working apart than they do working together to really make me love the storyline. The writing is at the usual high-level, but I wanted there to be much more trust much sooner between the main characters, especially since they were former lovers. Though Christmas is part of the title, the holiday has little to do with the overarching storyline. It can easily be read at any time of the year without there being a holiday feel to the story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
November 23, 2016
With her sister and nephew kidnapped, Lucy returns to the man she ran from to save her heart in order to meet the kidnappers demands. Rush doesn't trust that Lucy is back for good but he is determined to fix the mistakes he made that lost her.
The two together race the clock across continents using his brilliant mind and inventions in order to save her family while the fire between them is rekindled!
The team of Debra Webb and Regan Black has once again given us a suspenseful, clock ticking, edge of the seat read with characters you will fall in love with and a story that will keep you turning the pages!
The two together race the clock across continents using his brilliant mind and inventions in order to save her family while the fire between them is rekindled!
The team of Debra Webb and Regan Black has once again given us a suspenseful, clock ticking, edge of the seat read with characters you will fall in love with and a story that will keep you turning the pages!
November 30, 2016
As a huge Deb Webb fan, I was thrilled to read Investigating Christmas. Deb and Regan make a great team and I really think they have a bestseller on their hands.
The chemistry between Lucy and Rush is great and the story line will keep you turning the pages. It was really exciting and I hated to see the end of the book.
The story was so real and Deb and Regan's writing made you feel as if you were in room watching everything unfold.
The chemistry between Lucy and Rush is great and the story line will keep you turning the pages. It was really exciting and I hated to see the end of the book.
The story was so real and Deb and Regan's writing made you feel as if you were in room watching everything unfold.
November 28, 2016
I love just about everything that Debra Webb and Regan Black give us and INVESTIGATING CHRISTMAS is no exception. Plot twists kept me guessing, Lucy and Rush rediscovering each other and opening new communication lines was fun to watch. Voting for the bad guy to get his comeuppance kept me turning page after page, I read this one start to finish in one sitting, and wished I wasn't done yet.
Read
December 23, 2016"Readers will enjoy reading the hero’s perspective and his protective and complementary nature toward the heroine. The intrigue and suspense keep the story moving at an even pace. The story starts off with quite an intriguing grab-you opener and makes what follows an enjoyable page-turner" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
November 29, 2016
I love this book. Debra Webb is one of my favorite authors and then add Regan Black and you have a sure winner.
It's a fast good read. Highly recommended!!!!
I did receive an ARC for my honest opinion.
It's a fast good read. Highly recommended!!!!
I did receive an ARC for my honest opinion.
January 2, 2017
This book was very good I always love the Colby books and the by books that come from them. There is always a good lesson behind them all. Thanks Deb and Regan for writing this series. And please keep them coming.
October 13, 2016
I great story at every twist and turn.
Read
December 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
December 1, 2016
Excellent!
Merged review:
Another excellent book by this amazing duo!
Merged review:
Another excellent book by this amazing duo!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews